Owners of many Beanstalk CFO clients operate businesses that often represent the majority of their wealth generating capacity. Most people want to retire, or at least get to “work optional” someday, so these owners are fairly reliant on the business itself to provide the resources necessary to enjoy what is hopefully a long, healthy and fulfilling post-work phase of life.A key question is “How much do I need?” The answer depends on many variables. Non-business owners earn a salary and may have an employer sponsored 401K or other retirement program that they plan on relying on for their retirement. If they are generating excess funds over their typical household expenses and retirementsavings goals, they may also have other investment/brokerage accounts as well. But for the business owner, often the company itself represents a majority of their personal Net Worth, and their primary investment vehicle –they are reinvesting business income to continue company growth. Regardless of an individuals various sources of income or retirement savings, certain aspects of the planning process will be similar. There are simplified calculators online that you can use to determine the present value of what you will need at retirement, but of course, there are a number of variables to be considered that may require some discussion with you family and a good financial planner.There are several steps in this process:1. Estimate Retirement Expenses: A good rule of thumb is to use 80% of your pre-retirement spending, but it is just a general rule. It is less than pre-retirement spending because it is assumed you will have the mortgage paid off, the kids are out of college and moved out, and you are no longer putting money away towards retirement saving. On the other hand, you may plan on spending more on things like travel or new hobbies. You can use the 80% rule, but asyou approach retirement, it will be important to take a closer look at your actual spending, including anticipated changes to spending habits.

2. Review known fixed retirement income; pension plans, fixed investment income, etc, and determine any shortfall between anticipated income and expenses after retirement. Depending on your generation, you may or may not feel comfortable relying on Social Security to fund a significant portion of your post retirement plan, but currently, any amount you receive will be dependent on what age you retire and what age you plan on starting to receive benefits.

3. Look at current holdings, consider tax implications of utilizing each of them to fund your retirement. It may mean selling certain assets, incurring capital gains or income tax, reducing your actual spendable. If your holdings include a closely held business, you will need to consider market value of the firm, and how to maximize company value upon exit. If it is a family business, are your successors ready and able to run the company and provide you the required income either through a formal buy out, consulting arrangement, or some other method to allow the family to retain the business and still provide you the income you need/deserve?

4. Consider anticipated rate of inflation, investment return and risk. These will all impact what you have left at retirement, and if it will last. The closer you are to retirement, the more you may want to reduce risk, perhaps changing your allocation by shifting from a stock heavy strategy to higher bond/fixed income holdings.

5. Review and update the plan at regular intervals, but at least annually, to consider any expected or unexpected life changes

If you are not at your number yet, there are several strategies you can take to become better prepared and improve your odds that you won’t outlive your wealth:

• Work longer – it may sound simple, but adding just another year or two has a significant impact. You can alsoconsider shifting to part time for a period at a reduced salary but still have additional free time to pursue other goals.

• Increase the value of your business – clean up the financials, look at ways to improve overall profitability, hire to improve the strength of your management team, and of course GROW the top line. For more information, please contact:John Davidson, CPA, CFPjohn@kyleshill.comwww.Kyleshill.com